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2017 in climate news
January
Scientists discover an area of
peatland the size of England
in the Congo jungle, which
stores a massive 30 billion
tonnes of carbon.
Global sea ice falls to the
lowest level on record, as
natural variability in the
Photo credit: Pixabay
Antarctic swings in the same
direction as warming-driven
low ice cover in the Arctic.
July June
A G20 leaders’ summit Donald Trump announces his
ends in division, with intention to pull the US out of the Paris
the US opting out of Agreement, arguing it harms America’s
a statement affirming economic interests.
commitment to the Paris
climate agreement. France’s Emmanuel Macron and
the former “governator” Arnold
India commissions three Schwarzenegger subvert a Trump
research institutes to slogan, pledging to “make our planet
draw up long-term low great again”. World leaders reaffirm
carbon growth scenarios. Photo credit: Michael Vadon/ their commitment to Paris, while a
Wikimedia Commons
coalition of US states and cities declares
“we’re still in”.
August September
Marshall Islands climate champion Hurricane Maria follows Irma and
Tony de Brum dies at home, aged 72. Harvey in one of the most destructive
Obituary p24. seasons ever for the Caribbean
and southern US. Scientists point
A gas tanker crosses the Arctic northern out warmer than average seas fuel
sea route without an icebreaker escort stronger storms - a signature of
for the first time. The Russian coastline climate change.
is opening up to trade as sea ice
retreats. Full story p14.
In solidarity with hurricane victims,
Nicaragua belatedly announces plans
The death toll for South Asian monsoon to join the Paris Agreement, which it
flooding exceeds 1,200, with millions previously rejected as inadequate.
displaced.